Chapter 15: Chapter 15
The feeding process was unlike anything Naruto had ever experienced—it was overwhelming, a blend of sensation and emotion that left him teetering on the edge of control. Eliza's bite sent a rush of heat through his body, her presence amplifying every primal instinct within him. His breathing grew ragged, his heart pounding as the line between pain and pleasure blurred dangerously. He could feel himself slipping, his body urging him to surrender to the overwhelming lust surging through him.
Desperately, Naruto activated the pain seal he had carved into his body. A sharp jolt of agony coursed through his nerves, breaking the haze that threatened to consume him. The pain was his lifeline, a brutal reminder to keep his instincts in check. Without it, Naruto knew he would have either attacked Eliza or sought out someone else to satisfy his overpowering desires.
As the pain cleared his head, a sudden flash of imagery appeared in his mind—fragments of a memory he didn't recognize. The vision was vivid, yet fragmented, like pieces of a puzzle scattered before him. He saw a woman, her presence radiating warmth and love, but her face remained obscured. Her figure, however, was striking—toned, curvaceous, and graceful, with a silhouette that left no doubt about her beauty. Long, flowing blonde hair framed her form, shimmering like sunlight in his mind's eye.
The memory struck him with an intensity that left him reeling. He felt a deep, undeniable connection to this mysterious woman. It wasn't just admiration; it was something far deeper—a bond forged through love and trust. Yet, no matter how hard he tried to grasp at the details, they slipped through his fingers, leaving him with more questions than answers.
"What happened?" Eliza asked, her voice pulling him back to the present. She noticed the change in his demeanor—the distant look in his eyes and the way his body had stiffened.
"Give me a minute. I need to gather my thoughts," Naruto replied, his voice tinged with frustration as he turned away, his mind racing to piece together the fragments.
The conclusion he reached was troubling. He was missing memories.
'There's no other explanation,' Naruto thought, clenching his fists. 'I've clearly accepted someone as my lover before. But who? Who is she? Ino doesn't have a body like that, so it's not her. The only other blonde I know is Samui, but she has short hair... unless she grew it out for some reason. Still, it doesn't add up. What else am I forgetting? What happened after that mission with the rogue puppeteer?'
The questions swirled in his mind, an endless storm of uncertainty. The thought of missing chunks of his life—of not knowing who he truly was or what had happened to him—gnawed at his very being. He needed answers. He needed the truth.
Turning back to Eliza, Naruto's expression was serious, his usual playful demeanor replaced with an intensity that even she found intriguing. "Eliza, do you know anyone who can access memories?" he asked, his voice firm.
Eliza studied him for a moment, intrigued by the determination etched across his face. His aura was magnetic, his presence commanding her attention in a way few others could. "If you want someone who can help unlock your memories, I can do it easily," she said, her tone calm but certain. "Mental abilities are a basic skill of my kind."
Naruto hesitated, his mind racing with conflicting thoughts. He wasn't afraid of what he might see in his memories—it was the potential risks of allowing Eliza into his mind that gave him pause. What if she tampered with something? What if she altered more than just the locked memories?
Eliza noticed his hesitation and smiled faintly, amused by his caution. "Do you not trust me?" she asked, her tone light, but there was an undercurrent of curiosity in her voice. "Your concerns are valid, Naruto. Only a fool would jump into this without thinking it through."
Naruto sighed, his blue eyes locking onto hers. He saw no malice in her gaze, only intrigue. Eliza had no reason to harm him—she was already benefiting from his blood, and if anything, she seemed to value his presence. Taking a deep breath, he nodded. "Do it," he said with resolve. "I need to know what's hidden in my mind."
Eliza's smile widened slightly, her crimson eyes glowing with interest. "Very well. Close your eyes and relax. This might feel... strange."
Eliza focused on the task at hand, her curiosity about Naruto's decision tempered by her respect for the weight of his request. She could feel the energy radiating from him—an overwhelming golden glow that pulsated with life and personality. It was unlike anything she had encountered before, and she understood why his blood was so intoxicating. It wasn't just chakra; it was him, distilled into a form she could consume.
She knew that tampering with his mind could disrupt that delicate balance. His golden chakra was a rare phenomenon, reflecting a person who embodied hope, resilience, and love. If his spirit were crushed or corrupted, his chakra would change—losing its brilliance, perhaps turning dark or even dull and lifeless. This wasn't merely a physical attribute but a spiritual one, a testament to Naruto's indomitable will and unique nature.
Eliza's respect for this purity was part of why she had no intention of harming him. She found him fascinating, a rare gem in a sea of mediocrity, and she wanted to see how his story would unfold.
As Naruto sat in a meditative pose, his clones maintained a watchful presence nearby, invisible to anyone who might intrude. Eliza sat behind him, her hands glowing as she placed them gently on his head. A shimmering magical circle expanded beneath them, humming softly with protective energy. Two smaller circles spun around her hands, their intricate symbols reflecting her mastery of mental abilities.
The process began quickly. Naruto felt a tug at the edges of his consciousness as Eliza delved into the recesses of his mind, unraveling the threads that had been tied off and hidden. The memories came flooding back like a broken dam, overwhelming and vivid.
Eliza found her answer as she worked. Naruto's trust in her wasn't reckless; it was calculated. He valued the truth of these hidden memories more than the potential risks of her interference. He had weighed the situation carefully and trusted his instincts about her nature. It was a bold move, but it spoke volumes about his character.
Naruto, however, was not calm. As the memories unfolded, his expression darkened. Rage flickered across his face, his brows furrowing as sadness clouded his usually vibrant eyes. The weight of the revelations was crushing.
In these memories, Naruto learned the truth. He had died—fallen in the battle against Pain, his body succumbing despite his immense strength. In that moment, a girl had intervened, someone with extraordinary power and a deep connection to him. She had offered him a second chance, but it came at a price.
Her voice echoed in his mind, soft yet commanding, laced with an affection that was possessive and undeniable. "You were not ready, Naruto. The path ahead is too difficult. I've given you another chance to prepare, but you are mine. Don't forget that—I will come for you when the time is right."
The memory was clear now. It was she who had sealed away the memories, giving him a chance to grow and become the person she believed he could be. Yet, her actions weren't purely selfless. She had claimed him, binding him to her in a way that made Naruto bristle with frustration and confusion.
His fists clenched, his nails digging into his palms as he processed the revelation. The anger wasn't just at her—it was at the situation, the helplessness of not having had a choice. And yet, there was a deep sadness too. Whoever she was, her love for him was evident, even in her domineering actions.
Naruto sat silently, his fists clenched as the flood of memories settled. He felt as if his entire world had shifted, his understanding of his life altered by the revelations that had surfaced. Each memory carried a weight, and he now saw the threads of connection that bound his past actions and decisions.
He remembered the pain of losing Jiraiya, his mentor and father figure, whose death at the hands of Pain had left an indelible scar. It wasn't just grief—it was a deep, hollow ache that had threatened to consume him. Tsunade, too, had been shattered. The loss of her old teammate and unspoken love had left her vulnerable, and the two of them had found solace in one another during that dark time.
What had started as a mutual search for comfort in shared grief had transformed into something neither of them could have anticipated. Tsunade, always so composed and indomitable, had shown her vulnerability. Naruto, despite his own sorrow, had been her anchor, offering her the promise of a brighter future. Their bond had deepened until they crossed the line into intimacy—a line Naruto had never imagined crossing with someone he revered as an elder. Yet, in that moment, they had both needed each other.
Tsunade's pregnancy was another revelation that struck him like a thunderclap. He hadn't known. Or perhaps, at the time, he had, but the memory had been stripped from him. Now, the knowledge filled him with a strange mixture of joy and sorrow. A child, his child, carried by a woman he had shared his soul with, had been left behind when his life was violently uprooted.
Then there was the memory of Hinata and Ino, two more women who had carved out places in his heart. Their stories were equally intricate, their bonds formed through shared struggles and moments of vulnerability. Each of them had found something in him that they had needed, just as he had found strength and comfort in them.
And yet, despite all his efforts, his strength had not been enough. When Pain came to Konoha, Naruto had fought with everything he had. His mastery of Sage Mode, his unyielding will, and his determination to protect his village and loved ones had driven him to the brink of his capabilities. But it hadn't been enough. Konoha had fallen, and so had he.
Pain had defeated him, stripping him of his freedom and his hope. The chakra receivers that pinned him were more than physical restraints; they were symbols of his failure. Drugged and powerless, he had been taken away, his dreams of saving his village and protecting his family slipping through his fingers.
Then came the girl—the mysterious savior who had plucked him from the jaws of death. Her voice echoed in his mind, her words laced with both compassion and authority. She had given him another chance, but it had come at a cost. She had thrown him into another world, stripping him of his memories and urging him to grow stronger. She had warned him of the danger of staying in his world, hinting at a larger, looming threat that he couldn't yet comprehend.
Naruto's jaw tightened as he processed it all. He had been forced into this situation, torn away from everything he knew and loved, yet he couldn't deny the truth in her words. He wasn't strong enough back then. The time difference she mentioned gave him a sliver of hope, but it also left him with an enormous burden.
"I have to get back," Naruto muttered, his voice heavy with resolve. "I have to see them again... Tsunade, Hinata, Ino, my child... my village. I won't let this be the end of my story."
Eliza observed him quietly. She could see the storm raging within him, his golden chakra flickering like a flame caught in a gust of wind. Despite the overwhelming emotions threatening to consume him, his determination remained unbroken. It was a sight that stirred something within her—a rare sense of admiration.
"I see now why you're so different," Eliza said softly, her voice cutting through the silence. "You carry the weight of worlds on your shoulders, yet you refuse to falter. It's... impressive."
Naruto turned to her, his eyes fierce and unwavering. "Impressive isn't enough. I'll become stronger—strong enough to face whatever comes next. I'll protect them, no matter what it takes."
Eliza smiled faintly, her curiosity about him deepening. She could sense that his journey was far from over and that she had become a part of a story much larger than herself. For now, she would watch and see how far this golden light could shine.